Celebrating Life

My grandmother was 93 years old when she passed away on Sunday. It still doesn't seem real. Obviously, we knew she wouldn't live forever. But she definitely seemed invincible.

We got the call on Sunday after she had endured seven painful weeks in the hospital. She had emergency surgery and her body never quite recovered. Up until then, she had been living on her own, in her own home. She was strong and independent. She was one of the kindest people I have ever known.

For the sake of my girls and preserving memories of their great grandmother, I want to be sure I write down as many details as I can of her life and who she was. First, here are some of my favorite pictures of my girls with their great-grandma.

Lauryn's first trip to Iowa...4 months old!

4 generations

She loved to laugh...it was contagious!

Meeting Allie for the first time...October 2006
Deep conversations with Lauryn


Allie's first trip to Iowa...Summer 2007
Lauryn wanted to take a picture of Grandma holding her beloved "Emily", and of course she happily obliged. I think she looks beautiful in this picture.
Another visit in Iowa...
Summer 2010...our last visit.
We heard a lot of wonderful stories about Grandma last week. Many people arrived for her funeral, describing the impact she had on their lives. I know she meant so much to so many people. What a blessing to call her MY grandma!

She once sent an outfit for my birthday. I think I was around 8 years old. The pants were pale yellow and the shirt was white with yellow polka dots. I absolutely loved it. I wore the outfit to school the very next day. At recess, I ran down the grassy hill to catch up with my friends. Somehow I tripped and fell, leaving a huge grass stain on the knees of my brand new outfit. I was devastated and cried for longer than was probably appropriate for my age. It wasn't the stain or the fall...that outfit represented my Grandma's love and just the fact that she picked it out just for me, and now it was ruined...makes me tear up even now just remembering that feeling!

I have wonderful memories of her and my Grandpa visiting us in Texas every year. They would always bring gifts for my sister and me. On the day of their arrival, I would be so excited I could hardly stand it! I would come home from school and feel pure joy at the sight of their car in our driveway. We loved having them at our house! They would take us to McDonald's, where we would get the chicken nuggets every time. And each time they left, I would cry at the window as they drove away. I hated to say goodbye. That same feeling I had as a kid was magnified this week as we said goodbye to her for the last time. It was never easy, but this was, of course, the worst.

Grandma adored gardening. She had beautiful flowers lining her back porch, and she knew all there is to know about flowers. During their visits, Grandma would take me and my sister on walks. Along the way she would point out every flower and tree and could tell us the name of each one. Impatiens, Dogwoods, Petunias...she never missed one. On the way back home, she would quiz us to see how many of the names we could remember!

One of my favorite times to visit with Grandma and Grandpa was at Christmas. They would often come and spend up to a week with us during the Christmas holidays. Grandma would bring her homemade Chex mix, along with a variety of holiday candies. This week, while at her home for her memorial service, we were able to go through her recipe boxes. I am thrilled to now have several of those candy recipes, written in her own handwriting. Nothing could be more special.

Speaking of food, I can't think of my Grandma without thinking about all of the meals we enjoyed at her house. Her lasagna was incredible. She loved having a big family meal when we all got together. There were side dishes and appetizer trays and no one ever needed anything...she was always up to get your drink, napkin, silverware, etc. before you could even ask for it!

Grandma belonged to more clubs and organizations than I can even count. I am sure it's safe to say she probably served as President of each of those groups at one time or another! She volunteered at her church and at the elementary school even at the age of 90.

Her house was right next door to the church. A comment was made at her funeral telling the story of how she was once seen walking across the street, with her walker, to invite a neighbor to church. She was faithful to her church and attended every Sunday without fail, even if it took her ten minutes to walk next door. She visited HER friends in the nursing home, and liked to get together with the same group of ladies each week for coffee. She took care of my Grandpa for several years after he was housebound. She did everything for everyone, even when her knees were causing her great pain and slowed her down considerably. She never complained. She definitely had a servant's heart.

She loved her family. My girls adored her. I will remember her each time I see Allie's crooked smirk (she looks just like Grandma when she does that!) and every time Lauryn plays the piano (Grandma LOVED that she had started lessons). She would often tell me on the phone how proud she was of the girls and that she just knew they were going to accomplish great things. I often sent her updated pictures of the girls from school, holidays, etc. She never failed to call to thank me, and to tell me how she took those pictures all over town with her to show everyone. She had a way of making you feel like the most special person on earth.

She was an amazing woman with big shoes to fill. As many people said this week, what a world this would be with more people like her living in it. She will be deeply missed, but we find comfort knowing she is, without a doubt, in Heaven...we will be reunited again someday. (John 3:16)

We love you, Grandma!